Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiuge Gao, Jiahao Gong, Ying Cai, Jiacai Wang, Jia Wen, Lin Peng, Hui Ji, Shanxiang Jiang, Dawei Guo
Summary: A novel chitosan-modified squalene nanostructured lipid carrier system was developed, effectively promoting antigen uptake, enhancing immune responses, and demonstrating good biocompatibility and spleen lymphocyte proliferation in mice immunization experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Aihua Qu, Maozhong Sun, Liguang Xu, Liqiang Liu, Lingling Guo, Panpan Chen, Qing Wang, Zhiyong Du, Zhimeng Wu, Chuanlai Xu, Hua Kuang
Summary: Chiral nanomaterials play a crucial role in the field of vaccines by promoting antigen presentation and activating the immune system for tumor immunotherapy. However, there are still challenges in this research, such as finding better synthesis methods and addressing the issue of immune system regulation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Estefania Fernandez-Paz, Lucia Feijoo-Siota, Maria Manuela Gaspar, Noemi Csaba, Carmen Remunan-Lopez
Summary: This study introduced CS-based nanocapsules for pulmonary gene delivery, with incorporation of HA to enhance gene transfection efficiency. The use of mannitol microspheres for plasmid-loaded NCs facilitated effective gene delivery to the lungs, showing potential for the treatment of genetic lung diseases.
Article
Virology
Danny Ka-Ho Wong, Takako Inoue, Lung-Yi Mak, Rex Wan-Hin Hui, James Fung, Ka-Shing Cheung, Wai-Kay Seto, Yasuhito Tanaka, Man-Fung Yuen
Summary: This study evaluated the usefulness of two novel assays, the iTACT-HBsAg and iTACT-HBcrAg assays, in CHB patients with HBsAg seroclearance (SC). The results showed that over 70% of patients still had a low level of HBV protein expression even at 10 years after SC, indicating that CHB patients with SC still harbor a low level of HBV. Further investigations are needed to determine the clinical significance of detectable viral proteins after SC.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyeryeon Oh, Jin Sil Lee, Sunghyun Kim, Jeung-Hoon Lee, Yong Chul Shin, Won Il Choi
Summary: In this study, chitosan-coated nanocapsules (ChiNCs) were developed to encapsulate retinyl palmitate (RP), improving its stability and skin penetration. RP@ChiNCs showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as promoting cell proliferation and collagen synthesis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jun Li, Zhao Wu, Gui-Qiang Wang, Hong Zhao
Summary: The study revealed correlations between HBcrAg and antiviral efficacy, virological, and histological variables in chronic hepatitis B patients, with a decreased HBcrAg predicting HBeAg loss after antiviral therapy.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Chien-Hung Chen, Cheng-Yuan Peng, Yuan-Hung Kuo, Tsung-Hui Hu, Chao-Hung Hung, Jing-Houng Wang, Sheng-Nan Lu
Summary: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) therapy, HBeAg loss without seroconversion during treatment, and higher end-of-treatment hepatitis B core-related antigen were significant predictors of HBV relapse in HBeAg-positive patients who discontinued ETV or TDF.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Amir M. Mohareb, Anne F. Liu, Arthur Y. Kim, Patrick A. Coffie, Menan Gerard Kouame, Kenneth A. Freedberg, Anders Boyd, Emily P. Hyle
Summary: Spontaneous loss of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) occurs at a rate of 6.46/100 person-years (PYs) among untreated individuals with chronic HBV. The incidence rate of spontaneous HBeAg loss varies by age and geographic region.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Nan Wu, Qiuting Chen, Yongjuan Zou, Chunyu Miao, Guanghui Ma, Jie Wu
Summary: Particle-emulsion complex adjuvants are a new trend in vaccine formulation research, improving immune strength and balancing immune type. The location of the particle and its type of immunity are key factors that have not been extensively studied. In this study, different combining modes of emulsion and particle were investigated, showing that different particle locations in the droplets led to different immunoprotective effects and immune-enhancing mechanisms. CNP-I and CNP-S significantly improved humoral and cellular immunity compared to CNP-O, with CNP-S triggering a Th1-type immune bias and CNP-I promoting a Th2-type immune response. These findings highlight the importance of particle location in the droplets for immune response.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Lung-Yi Mak, Danny Wong, Alison Kuchta, Martina Hilfiker, Aaron Hamilton, Ning Chow, XianHua Mao, Wai Kay Seto, Man-Fung Yuen
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of serum HBV pre-genomic RNA (pgRNA) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) in patients receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) and their predictability for favourable suppression of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The results showed that early on-treatment changes of serum HBV pgRNA and HBcrAg at 4 weeks can predict HBsAg seroclearance or <100 IU/mL in NA-treated CHB patients upon long-term follow-up.
CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR HEPATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Valeria Trincado, Rikhav P. Gala, Javier O. Morales
Summary: Mucosal routes of administration for vaccines offer significant advantages in improving patient compliance and inducing more effective immune responses.
Review
Immunology
Shuling Wu, Wei Yi, Yuanjiao Gao, Wen Deng, Xiaoyue Bi, Yanjie Lin, Liu Yang, Yao Lu, Ruyu Liu, Min Chang, Ge Shen, Leiping Hu, Lu Zhang, Minghui Li, Yao Xie
Summary: Functional cure is considered achieved when chronic hepatitis B patients achieve HBsAg seroclearance after treatment. Clearing the virus is challenging due to the difficulty in clearing both cccDNA and integrated dslDNA. High levels of HBsAg in the serum lead to immune system failure, making it unable to produce an effective antiviral response. Only less than 1% of chronic hepatitis B patients are cured annually with antiviral treatment. Coinfection with other viruses such as HIV, HCV, and HDV makes it even more difficult to cure. However, it has been found that patients with coinfection have a higher probability of achieving HBsAg seroclearance, especially those with HBV/HIV coinfection with up to 36% 5-year seroclerance rate. This interesting phenomenon is related to the functional reconstruction of the immune system after antiretroviral therapy (ART).
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Satinder P. Kaur, Arslan Talat, Hamidreza Karimi-Sari, Andrew Grees, Hao Wei Chen, Daryl T. Y. Lau, Andreea M. Catana
Summary: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the main risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the risk of HCC is not completely eliminated even after viral suppression. Cirrhosis, HBV viral DNA levels, age, male gender, the immune response, and a combination of obesity and diabetes are among the main risk factors for HCC. Active viral replication and long-standing inflammation are associated with a higher risk of HCC. Treatment of HBV with nucleos(t)ide analogues can decrease the risk of HCC.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Han Ah Lee, Hyun Woong Lee, Younhee Park, Hyon-Suk Kim, Yeon Seok Seo
Summary: The level of HBcrAg is important in predicting the clinical phase and NA-induced HBeAg seroconversion in patients with CHB.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Tarik Asselah, Mario Rizzetto
Summary: Hepatitis D virus (HDV), also known as hepatitis delta virus, is a defective, hepatotropic pathogenic agent. It requires the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) provided by hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its life cycle. HDV is mainly transmitted through contaminated syringes used by intravenous drug users. It is characterized by unique biological characteristics and severe medical effects. The global prevalence of HDV infection remains uncertain, and effective therapies are urgently needed.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Jezabel Varade, Susana Magadan, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez
Summary: The immune system is a complex network of cells, soluble factors, membrane molecules, and functionalities, with researchers working to put all pieces of the puzzle together for a more complete understanding. Advances in immunological techniques and the development of new specialized equipment have improved our knowledge of immune-mediated illnesses and how the immune system interacts with other systems. The development of various types of immunotherapies, including vaccines and cellular therapies, is changing the way we approach diseases, particularly cancer.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Maria Grazia Biferi, Mathilde Cohen-Tannoudji, Andrea Garcia-Silva, Olga Souto-Rodriguez, Irene Vieitez-Gonzalez, Beatriz San-Millan-Tejado, Andrea Fernandez-Carrera, Tania Perez-Marquez, Susana Teijeira-Bautista, Soraya Barrera, Vanesa Dominguez, Thibaut Marais, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Martine Barkats, Saida Ortolano
Summary: This study tested a novel adeno-associated viral vector for treating Fabry disease, showing that the vector can induce alpha-galactosidase A activity in tissues and achieve the expected therapeutic effects in animal models.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Isabel Matos Oliveira, Cristiana Goncalves, Eduarda Pinheiro Oliveira, Rosana Simon-Vazquez, Alain da Silva Morais, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Rui Luis Reis, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira
Summary: The study successfully developed anti-TNF alpha Abs-CS/PAMAM dendrimer NPs with anti-inflammatory properties, showing good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility, suitable for new immunotherapies in RA patients.
MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING C-MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Susan M. Bueno, Katia Abarca, Pablo A. Gonzalez, Nicolas M. S. Galvez, Jorge A. Soto, Luisa F. Duarte, Barbara M. Schultz, Gaspar A. Pacheco, Liliana A. Gonzalez, Yaneisi Vazquez, Mariana Rios, Felipe Melo-Gonzalez, Daniela Rivera-Perez, Carolina Iturriaga, Marcela Urzua, Angelica Dominguez, Catalina A. Andrade, Roslye Berrios-Rojas, Gisela Canedo-Marroquin, Camila Covian, Daniela Moreno-Tapia, Farides Saavedra, Omar P. Vallejos, Paulina Donato, Pilar Espinoza, Daniela Fuentes, Marcela Gonzalez, Paula Guzman, Paula Munoz Venturelli, Carlos M. Perez, Marcela Potin, Alvaro Rojas, Rodrigo A. Fasce, Jorge Fernandez, Judith Mora, Eugenio Ramirez, Aracelly Gaete-Argel, Aaron Oyarzun-Arrau, Fernando Valiente-Echeverria, Ricardo Soto-Rifo, Daniela Weiskopf, Alessandro Sette, Gang Zeng, Weining Meng, Jose Gonzalez-Aramundiz, Alexis M. Kalergis
Summary: Vaccination with CoronaVac in Chilean adults aged >= 18 years is safe and induces immune responses, including antibody production and T cell activation. The vaccine demonstrates the generation of neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses in both the 18-59 and >= 60 age groups.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marina A. Dobrovolskaia, Kirill A. Afonin, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
T. Hidalgo, R. Simon-Vazquez, A. Gonzalez-Fernandez, P. Horcajada
Summary: The human body is in a constant battle against pathogens, with the immune system being the natural defense mechanism. When the immune system is weakened, pathogens can escape and lead to pathological states. Nanomedicines have been used successfully to enhance the immune response by manipulating the body's defense mechanisms for targeted recognition and elimination of pathological cells.
Article
Rheumatology
Ana Igea, Tiago Carvalheiro, Beatriz Malvar-Fernandez, Sara Martinez-Ramos, Carlos Rafael-Vidal, Ellis Niemantsverdriet, Jezabel Varade, Andrea Fernandez-Carrera, Norman Jimenez, Trudy McGarry, Angela Rodriguez-Trillo, Douglas Veale, Ursula Fearon, Carmen Conde, Jose M. Pego-Reigosa, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Kris A. Reedquist, Timothy R. D. J. Radstake, Annette van der Helm-Van Mil, Samuel Garcia
Summary: The study reveals that Sema3B plays a protective role in a mouse model of arthritis and its expression levels in RA patients are associated with the disease stage.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Rosana Simon-Vazquez, Nicolas Tsapis, Mathilde Lorscheider, Ainhoa Rodriguez, Patricia Calleja, Ludivine Mousnier, Encarnacion de Miguel Villegas, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Elias Fattal
Summary: Encapsulation of dexamethasone palmitate into nanoparticles can enhance drug loading and reduce side effects, leading to improved efficacy in treating arthritis.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rayen Yanara Valdivia-Olivares, Maria Rodriguez-Fernandez, Maria Javiera alvarez-Figueroa, Alexis M. Kalergis, Jose Vicente Gonzalez-Aramundiz
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of vaccination programs and the need for new technologies. Nanomedicine has offered novel tools for designing the next generation of vaccines. One of the challenges in developing new vaccines is finding alternative routes for antigen delivery, with transdermal immunization emerging as a promising option.
Review
Microbiology
Amparo Martinez-Perez, Olivia Estevez, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez
Summary: The author discusses the main fields explored in tuberculosis (TB) using transcriptomics and identifies the challenges that need to be addressed for real implementation in TB diagnosis, prevention, and therapy.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Lara Diego-Gonzalez, Andrea Fernandez-Carrera, Ana Igea, Amparo Martinez-Perez, M. Elisabete C. D. Real Oliveira, Andreia C. Gomes, Carmen Guerra, Mariano Barbacid, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Rosana Simon-Vazquez
Summary: The combined inhibition of YAP and FOSL-1 mRNA expression has shown superior control over tumor growth in pancreatic cancer, while also reducing the tumor stroma.
Article
Immunology
Katia Abarca, Carolina Iturriaga, Marcela Urzua, Nicole Le Corre, Augusto Pineda, Carolina Fernandez, Angelica Dominguez, Pablo A. Gonzalez, Susan M. Bueno, Paulina Donato, Pilar Espinoza, Daniela Fuentes, Marcela Gonzalez, Paula Guzman, Paula Munoz-Venturelli, Carlos M. Perez, Marcela Potin, Alvaro Rojas, Jose Gonzalez-Aramundiz, Nicolas M. S. Galvez, Francisca Aguirre-Boza, Sofia Aljaro, Luis Federico Batiz, Yessica Campisto, Mariela Cepeda, Aaron Cortes, Sofia Lopez, Maria Loreto Perez, Andrea Schilling, Alexis M. Kalergis
Summary: This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of two different immunization schedules of CoronaVac(R) in healthy adults. The results showed that CoronaVac(R) vaccine is safe and effective in preventing severe cases of COVID-19. There were no significant differences in adverse events between the two schedules, and both schedules provided protection against COVID-19 hospitalization.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Immacolata Maietta, Amparo Martinez-Perez, Rosana Alvarez, Angel R. De Lera, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Rosana Simon-Vazquez
Summary: Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in the proliferation, drug resistance, and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In this study, researchers tested the effects of different epigenetic enzyme inhibitors and a drug that restores p53 function on PDAC cell lines. The results showed that inhibiting certain enzymes or combining drugs with gemcitabine can significantly reduce cell viability and potentially serve as a new treatment strategy for PDAC. RNA-Seq analysis also identified potential biomarkers for synergy.
Article
Immunology
Amparo Martinez-Perez, Lara Diego-Gonzalez, Manuel Vilanova, Alexandra Correia, Rosana Simon-Vazquez, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez
Summary: In this study, we developed new vaccines for pancreatic cancer using chitosan nanocapsules (CS NCs) containing IMQ as adjuvant, targeting the K-Ras mutation G12V. However, our results suggest that the different combinations of our CS NCs vaccines may enhance tumor growth and reduce survival rate, possibly due to an inadequate immune response and the induction of a regulatory tolerogenic response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Nicholas J. First, Katelyn M. Parrish, Amparo Martinez-Perez, Africa Gonzalez-Fernandez, Sushma Bharrhan, Matthew Woolard, James B. Mclachlan, Rona S. Scott, Jian Wang, Monica C. Gestal
Summary: This study reveals the important role of eosinophils in Bordetella bronchiseptica infection. Eosinophils are involved in the immune response through their interaction with B/T cells and the formation of iBALT. Furthermore, XCL1 is found to be critical for the formation of iBALT, suggesting a novel role for eosinophils in adaptive immunity.
